Former Labor Prime Minister Edward Gough Whitlam has died aged 98 years.

Whitlam was first elected to Parliament in 1952, representing Werriwa in the House of Representatives. He became Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in 1960, and in 1967, after the retirement of Arthur Calwell, he was elected Leader and became the Leader of the Opposition. After narrowly losing the 1969 election, Whitlam led Labor to victory at the 1972 election after 23 years of continuous Liberal/Country Coalition Government.

In 1974, Whitlam called a double dissolution election and was returned to office with a reduced majority. As the world-wide economic conditions declined, Whitlam became embroiled in a loans scandal involving a third party loans shark named Tirath Khemlani. This was the beginning of the end of the Whitlam Labor Government.

There were other minor scandals involving several ministers, his deputy leader, Jim Cairns and the appointment to Ambassador for Ireland of Vince Gair by Queensland National Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

In 1975 as the Whitlam Government lacked a majority in the Senate, after months of deadlock the opposition blocked supply and Governor-General Sir John Kerr sacked the Whitlam Government on 11 November, 1975. Opposition Liberal Leader Malcolm Fraser formed a caretaker Government and won a landslide election victory on 13 December, 1975. Gough Whitlam became Opposition Leader.

Randwick Racecourse, 1975

Like many Australians, Editor Victor P Taffa’s interest in politics began during the tumultuous years of the Whitlam Government. At the 1975 Federal Election, 10 year old Victor P Taffa went with his mother Margaret and Aunties Rona and Marie and their friends to a Liberal Party campaign rally held at Randwick Racecourse that drew a crowd of about 20,000.

In 1977 the Fraser Government called an early election which Labor Opposition Leader Gough Whitlam lost by a large margin.

Whitlam was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1978 and resigned from Parliament on 31 July 1978.

In comparison to Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and many others of the era of the Whitlam Government, today’s politicians are so bland as to make robots seem positively exciting. Further the leadership that today’s politician’s display is non-existent.

Edward Gough Whitlam Born: 11 July 1916 Died: 21 October 2014

Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Current Liberal Prime Minister Tony Abbott said of Gough Whitlam upon his passing:

We remember his lifetime of service to Australia in the Royal Australian Air Force, as a parliamentarian, as Prime Minister and as an ambassador.

Gough Whitlam was a giant of his time. He united the Australian Labor Party, won two elections and seemed, in so many ways, larger than life.

His government ended conscription, recognised China, introduced Medibank, abolished university fees, decolonised Papua New Guinea, transformed our approach to indigenous policy and expanded the role of the Commonwealth, particularly in the field of social services.

In his own party, he inspired a legion of young people to get involved in public life.

He established diplomatic relations with China and was the first Australian Prime Minister to visit China. China is our largest trading partner. That is an enduring legacy.

Gough Whitlam recognised the journey that our country needed to take with indigenous Australians. The image of soil passing from Gough Whitlam’s hand to Vincent Lingiari’s is a reminder that all Australians share the same land and the same hopes.

Gough Whitlam’s life was inseparable from that of Margaret Whitlam. Margaret Whitlam was a leading light for women of her generation. Together they made a difference to our country.

On this day we honour a life of service to our country. I have instructed all flags to fly at half-mast today and on the day of Mr. Whitlam’s State Memorial Service.

Further details on how Australians can honour Mr. Whitlam will be announced in coming days in consultation with the Whitlam family.

On behalf of the Australian people, I extend my condolences to the Whitlam family on their loss.

Premier Of Victoria Denis Napthine

Current Liberal Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine said of Gough Whitlam upon his passing:

On behalf of the Government and the people of Victoria, I send my sincere condolences to the family of The Hon. Edward Gough Whitlam AC QC.

Gough Whitlam made a contribution to our country and society that stands to this day.

Today all Victorians and Australians should honour his commitment to public service and his enduring legacy.

Prime Minister’s Of Australia

The following people have held the office of Prime Minister of Australia since the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901.

Prime Minister Party Term Of Office

Edmund Barton Protectionist 1 January 1901-24 September 1903

Alfred Deakin Protectionist 24 September 1903-27 April 1904

Chris Watson Labor 27 April 1904-18 August 1904

George Reid Free Trade 18 August- 5 July 1905

Alfred Deakin Liberal 5 July 1905-13 November 1908

Andrew Fisher Labor 13 November 1908-2 June 1909

Alfred Deakin Fushion 2 June 1909-29 April 1910

Andrew Fisher Labor 29 April 1910-24 June 1913

Joseph Cook Liberal 24 June 1913-7 September 1914

Andrew Fisher Labor 7 September 1914-27 October 1915

William Morris Hughes Labor 27 October 1915-14 November 1916

William Morris Hughes National Labor 14 November 1916-17 February 1917

William Morris Hughes Nationalist 17 February 1917-9 February 1923

Stanley Melbourne Bruce Nationalist 9 February 1923-22 October 1929

James Scullin Labor 22 October 1929- 6 January 1932

Joseph Lyons United Australia 6 January 1932-7 April 1939

Earle Page Country 7 April 1939-26 April 1939

Robert Menzies United Australia 26 April 1939-29 August 1941

Arthur Fadden Country 29 August 1941-7 October 1941

John Curtin Labor 7 October 1941-5 July 1945*

Francis Forde Labor 5 July 1945-13 July 1945

Ben Chifley Labor 13 July 1945-19 December 1949

Robert Menzies Liberal 19 December 1949-26 January 1966**

Harold Holt Liberal 26 January 1966-19 December 1967*

John McEwen Country 19 December 1967-10 January 1968

John Gorton Liberal 10 January 1968-10 March 1971

William McMahon Liberal 10 March 1971-5 December 1972

Gough Whitlam Labor 5 December 1972-11 November 1975

Malcolm Fraser Liberal 11 November 1975-5 March 1983

Bob Hawke Labor 5 March 1983-19 December 1991

Paul Keating Labor 19 December 1991-2 March 1996

John Howard Liberal 2 March 1996-24 November 2007

Kevin Rudd Labor 24 November 2007-24 June 2010

Julia Gillard Labor 24 June 2010-26 June 2013

Kevin Rudd Labor 26 June 2013-7 September 2013

Tony Abbott Liberal 7 September 2013-Present

*Died in Office

** Formed current Liberal Party in 1944 and longest serving Prime Minister